Originally from Semans, Saskatchewan, James O’Neill made his NHL debut with the Bruins in 1931-32 and went on to play four seasons with the Boston squad. He was traded to the Canadiens by the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Barons on May 17, 1940 in exchange for Bill Summerhill and Bill MacKenzie. Over the course of the following two seasons O’Neill played 19 games for the Habs during which he recorded four assists before going on to continue his career in the American League.